Abstract
Half of the world’s edible seafood comes from aquaculture, and the United States (US) government is working to develop an offshore finfish aquaculture industry in federal waters. To date, US aquaculture has largely been regulated at the state level, and creating an offshore aquaculture industry will require the development of a new regulatory structure. Some aquaculture practices involve hazardous working conditions and the use of veterinary drugs, agrochemicals, and questionable farming methods, which could raise environmental and occupational public health concerns if these methods are employed in the offshore finfish industry in the US. This policy analysis aims to inform public health professionals and other stakeholders in the policy debate regarding how offshore finfish aquaculture should be regulated in the US to protect human health; previous policy analyses on this topic have focused on environmental impacts. We identified 20 federal laws related to offshore finfish aquaculture, including 11 that are relevant to preventing, controlling, or monitoring potential public health risks. Given the novelty of the industry in the US, myriad relevant laws, and jurisdictional issues in an offshore setting, federal agencies need to work collaboratively and transparently to ensure that a comprehensive and functional regulatory structure is established that addresses the potential public health risks associated with this type of food production.
Highlights
Aquaculture, or farmed seafood, has experienced rapid growth over the past few decades and accounts for about half of seafood consumed worldwide [1]
We identified 20 laws relevant to offshore finfish aquaculture in the United States (US) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
Nine of the 20 laws had a low potential to address aquaculture practices that may pose risks to public health, because they are aimed at addressing issues such as protection of animals designated as endangered species, preventing illegal trade of wild animals, establishment of marine sanctuaries, and requiring permits for structures that may interfere with navigation
Summary
Aquaculture, or farmed seafood, has experienced rapid growth over the past few decades and accounts for about half of seafood consumed worldwide [1]. The United States (US) government aims to expand the domestic aquaculture industry in light of a large seafood trade deficit, fast growth in the aquaculture industries of other countries, fully exploited or declining wild fisheries in most parts of the world, the potential for economic growth, and national dietary guideline recommendations to increase seafood consumption [2,3]. The US government is interested in developing offshore aquaculture, especially in the federally controlled Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The focus of this paper is offshore finfish aquaculture; the term finfish refers to fish and not shellfish or crustaceans. Fish are raised in net-pens and floating or submerged cages.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
